Ontario is the fourth province to join the effort that
includes California and six other U.S. states, and was
established by U.S. state governors tired of what they saw as
the Bush administration's inaction on climate change.

Canadian environmentalists hailed the announcement as
evidence that provincial leaders were losing faith in Ottawa's
stand on climate change, but federal Environment Minister John
Baird said he saw no problem with Ontario's decision.

The WCI, which has set a target of cutting greenhouse gas
emissions to 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, is expected
to unveil its plan for capping carbon emissions and trading
offset credits next month.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has been a strong critic of
Ottawa's plans to fight climate change, and said at a meeting
of premiers in Quebec City on Friday that people were tired of
waiting for action.

"Of course there is a system put in place by the federal
government, but obviously that doesn't satisfy all Canadians so
we see provinces making their own efforts to assume their
responsibilities as global citizens," McGuinty said, speaking
in French.

The province of Quebec is a member of the WCI along with
British Columbia and Manitoba. The U.S. states involved are
California, Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and
Washington. Several other U.S. and Mexican states hold observer
status with the group.

"Ontario is doing some great things to combat global
warming, and I welcome them, said California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger, who has spearheaded the WCI efforts in the
United States.
Continued...